Yep, it’s official. E3 will be a smaller and more “private” event in the future with no more booths and public presentations.
Honestly, I don’t see the point anymore. The GDC does the targeted approach already, and probably will do a better job than this. Without all the big hype, I think the show will be redundant, or will be overshadowed by another big show. Events like PAX may gradually take over as the more public face of the marketing machine, much like local cons do for the comic industry, but who knows?
I’m not sure an industry that has built itself up on hype and marketing can stay without a large event like E3 for long.
[url=http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=domesticNews&storyID=2006-07-31T182721Z_01_N7V366265_RTRUKOC_0_US-MEDIA-VIDEOGAMES-E3.xml&archived=False]Video game trade show E3 to get more “intimate”[/url] (Reuters)
OK, just so you know I’m not slacking: I know there’s a lot of news about E3 being cancelled/downgraded/moved to the moon, but I’m waiting on a reliable response. So far I’m seeing a general consensus of “It’s being downgraded and moved, and we’re not sure the major players are in.” Apparently people are worried about the rising costs and one-upmanship. As far as I am concerned, there’s nothing to panic or worry about until the real news solidifies.
And hey, it’s just E3. It’s not like they won’t make games anymore. Although if they do close it out I will deeply regret never having made it.
Those of you wishing for a true sequel are going to be disappointed. Still, they are adding a few things to the package, like new graphics and surgery types, and more voice acting. The new operation types should be a big draw. Hopefully good sales here will pave the way for a true sequel for you Trauma Center fans.
[url=http://arstechnica.com/journals/thumbs.ars/2006/7/28/4801]Wii Trauma Center to be an expanded port instead of a new game[/url] (ArsTechnica)
For those of you all excited about Final Fantasy 3 DS, Joystiq has a trailer. The big question is: are some of those people supposed to be guys? None of them look like guys…
[url=http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/28/new-ffiii-trailer-all-purty-n-stuff/]New FFIII trailer all purty ‘n stuff[/url] (Joystiq)
Nintendo announced the Fusion Tour dates earlier today. Here is the schedule as it currently stands:
Sept. 27 Columbus, Ohio
Sept. 28 Indianapolis
Sept. 29 Detroit
Sept. 30 Cleveland
Oct. 1 Covington, Ky.
Oct. 4 Philadelphia
Oct. 5 Worcester, Mass.
Oct. 7 Pittsburgh
Oct. 8 New York
Oct. 9 Norfolk, Va.
Oct. 10 Winston-Salem, N.C.
Oct. 11 Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Oct. 12 Orlando, Fla.
Oct. 13 Atlanta
Oct. 14 Jacksonville, Fla.
Oct. 15 Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
Oct. 17 Jonesboro, Ark.
Oct. 18 New Orleans
Oct. 19 Houston
Oct. 20 Dallas
Oct. 22 Phoenix
Oct. 24 Anaheim, Calif.
Oct. 25 Los Angeles
Oct. 26 San Francisco
Oct. 27 San Diego
Oct. 28 Las Vegas
Nov. 2 Spokane, Wash.
Nov. 4 Denver
Nov. 5 Kansas City, Mo.
Nov. 6 St. Paul, Minn.
Nov. 7 St. Louis
Nov. 8 Milwaukee
Nov. 9 Des Moines, Iowa
Nov. 10 Champaign, Ill.
Nov. 11 Chicago
As always, check the [url=http://www.nintendofusiontour.com]official site[/url] for confirmation.
